This book addresses the application of infrared thermography in sports, examining the main benefits of this non-invasive, non-radiating and low-cost technique. Aspects covered include the detection of injuries in sports medicine, the assessment of sports performance due to the existing link between physical fitness and thermoregulation and the analysis of heat transfer for sports garments and sports equipment. Although infrared thermography is broadly considered to be a fast and easy-to-use tool, the ability to deliver accurate and repeatable measurements is an important consideration. Furthermore, it is important to be familiar with the latest sports studies published on this technique to understand its potential and limitations. Accordingly, this book establishes a vital link between laboratory tests and the sports field.

In this chapter, we describe how infrared thermography (IRT) can help professionals to prevent and monitor injuries, always based on the use of standardised protocols as the one created by TermoINEF research group. We will explain some of the main physiological aspects and will enumerate the main applications of infrared thermography, with examples gathered from our research and professional experience with top sport athletes and teams all over the world. To summarize, IRT can help us to reduce injury incidence and to increase the performance in a non-invasive, fast and objective way if information is shared with the technical staff to create daily science based decisions when measured via IRT.